Chitwan Jungle Tower Overnight

A night in a simple wildlife watchtower in a community forest, with a guide, dinner and a walk out at dawn.

Length: 1 night, 2 days
Price from: $95 per person
Where: Community forest, Chitwan
Group size: Up to 6
Activity level: Moderate
Starts: 15:00 from Sauraha
Facilities: Basic: no electricity
Age: 12 and over

About this tour

We should say it up front: this isn't a hotel night. You sleep in a basic wooden tower above the forest, with mattresses, nets and a guide, and spend the evening listening for deer alarm calls, owls and anything moving below.

You walk in during the late afternoon and walk out at dawn, which is often when animals are closest. Facilities are simple, so it suits people who don't mind going without electricity or a private bathroom.

Bring a torch, warm layers in winter and, well, a sense of adventure.

Highlights

Night in a wildlife watchtower
Guided walk in and out
Dinner and breakfast packed in
Community forest fees included

Program

Afternoon and evening
- Walk or drive to the tower with your guide.
- Watch from the tower at dusk.
- Packed dinner.
Dawn
- Wake before sunrise and watch the morning.
- Walk back to Sauraha for breakfast.

Activities may be reordered on the day for weather, river levels or park rules.

What the price includes

Included

Tower night with mattress, bedding and mosquito net.
Licensed guide for the whole stay.
Packed dinner, drinking water and breakfast.
Community forest fees.

Not included

International flights, Nepal visa and travel insurance.
Drinks, snacks and personal shopping.
Tips for guides, drivers and lodge staff.
Anything not listed under what's included.

Meeting point and cancellations

Where we meet

Your lodge in Sauraha, or the Sauraha tourist bus park if you arrive by bus.

If your plans change

Cancel 7 or more days ahead for a full refund (minus card fees); 3–6 days ahead, half is refunded; inside 72 hours there is no refund. Read the full cancellation policy.

Good to know

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. Your guide will choose routes for the season and the day's conditions. Check what each month is like and what to bring before you travel, and read our safety notes if you're traveling with children.

Questions about this tour

Is there a toilet, shower or electricity?

There's no electricity or shower, and toilet facilities are basic at best. You get a mattress, bedding and a mosquito net, and that's about it. Most people leave their main bag at their lodge and come back to a hot shower and breakfast in the morning.

Can children come?

Only from 12 years old. It's a long night with very simple facilities and a firm rule about staying inside the tower after dark, so it suits older children who are happy to sit quietly for hours.

What should I bring?

A headlamp (one with a red light is best), a warm layer, insect repellent, long sleeves and trousers, and any medicine you need. Dinner, drinking water and breakfast are included. Binoculars and a power bank are useful too, as there's nowhere to charge anything.

Will I see animals at night?

Mostly you'll hear them: deer alarm calls, owls and things moving in the grass below. Darkness limits what you can see, and spotlighting animals isn't appropriate, so dusk and dawn are your best chances of a sighting.

Does it run all year?

Tower nights depend on community forest permissions and the season, and they may not run at all in the June to September monsoon. October to March is the most comfortable time, though December and January nights are cold and damp.

$95 per person

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